Knockdown boat



L. Dl CARLO.

KNOCKDOWN BOAT.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-9,1918.

1,333,248. Patented Mar. 9,1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

15 ,4,3 9-" cad,

In ventor L. DI CARLO. KNOCKDOWN BOAT.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.9, 1918.

1,333,248. Patented Mar. 9,1920.

l w l Invenwn Attorney,

' L. 0| CARL'O.

KNOCKDOWN BOAT.

APPLlCATlON FILED AUG-9,1918.

Patented Mar. 9, 1920.

4 SHE ETSSHEET 3- L. DI CARLO.

KNOCKDOWN BOAT.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-9,1918.

1 ,333 ,ZQS Patented Mar. 9, 1920.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4.

In Ten-tor.

Attorney.

UNITED sT-Arrns OFFICE.

' LOUIS DICARLO, OE CLEVELAND, OHIO.

- mfocxnown BOAT.

- To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, LoUIs D1 CARLO, a subject ofthe King of Italy, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements 'in Knockdown- Boats, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to a boat for army use and has for its object to provide a very light collapsible boat which may be carried by soldiers or others upon their backs and easily .set up at a river it is desired to cross quickly.

Another object'of the invention is to pro vide a collapsible boat having an independent, knock down frame structure. I V

A stillfurther object of the invention is to provide a boat having a double canvas body provided with reinforcing-plates be tween the layers of canvas.

With the above and such other objects in view as will hereinafter more fully appear,

' I have invented the boat illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings in which- I Figure 1 is an elevational view of my boat.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the canvas pat- 1 tern from which the body of the boat is formed.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the bottom of the shell after having been formed.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the shell shown collapsed.

Fig. 7 is a perspectiveview. of the same shown folded and having the frame members folded and placed therein.

Fig. 8 shows the entire device formed into a pack, inclosed in a knapsack and strapped to the shoulders of a person.

Fig. 9 is a detail view of a frame member shown folded.

Fig. 10 is a keel rib shown folded.

Fig. 11'is "a plan view of a rib joint.

Like reference characters indicate like partsthroughout the following specification and in the several views in the drawings in which 1 indicates-a collapsible boat the shell of which is formed from a single plece of canvas 2 the portions 3 and 4 of which have cut-outs 5, 6, 7, and 8 and which is doubled upon itself to form inner and outer walls 9 and 10. Between these walls are secured spaced apart reinforcing and stiffening Specification of Letters la'tent.

- plates 11 and 12, the plates ll being. in the I side walls of the boat and the plates '12 in the bottom 13 thereof. The plates 11 are preferably rectangular in shape and of a size tosuit the particular size of the boat desired. These plates are so spaced apart that the shell may fold accordion fashion one layer upon theother at15 and 19, after which the various separable and foldable frame membersare placed between the various layers 17 and 18 and stacked upon the upper layer of the folded shell and the pack placed in the knapsack 20 having straps 21 r and 22 whereby the same may be secured to the back of a person as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings.

Patented 'Mar.Q,*1920. Application filed August 9, 191a; -swarm. 249,195.

The bottom plates 12 and 12* are cut I tapering to conform to the tapering ends 21' and 22 of the boat and the longitudinal rows of plates 12 and 12 are spaced apart at the longitudinal central line .23 in order that the shell may be folded upon itself at that line. These plates are also spaced apart transversely at the hinge lines 15 and'19 so as to permit folding of the shell on those lines. They are also spaced apart at intermediate points, as are plates 11 to permit compact folding of, the shell.

The upper edges'of' side walls 24. and 25 are provided with a series of spaced apart supporting plates 26,,each being provided with bayonet joint slots 27 to receive the bolts 28, in the edge of frame 28, upon which thumb nuts 29 are provided to hold the members securely bolted together. The frame 28 provided with'hooks or other suitable device at the hinged joint whereby they may, be

held rigidly opened when the boat is set up. The'r'nembers 31 and 32and the members 33 and 34 are whenset up secured together by plates 39 and '40 connected by thumb bolts 41 and these joints are. held rigid 'by hooks 43, or any other suitable means. The. frame vmembers 31, 32, '33, and 34 are secured to the end members 29 and 30 by bolted to;- gether plates 44 and 45v and books 46.

A series of U-shaped rib members 47 are suitablyspacedapart throughout the length of the boat, each of these members consists of a'transverse bottom brace '48 having upright ribs49 and 50 hinged to its ends at 51 and 52. The upper ends of the ribs seat directly under the members 31 to 34 and are secured thereto by hooks '53 engaging the eyes 54 in said members 31-34. A keel rib 55 extends longitudinally of the center of the bottom 13 and seats under the centers of the members 48, which are provided with re cesses 56 to interlock with theirecesses 57 formed at the joints 58 of said keel rib. This rib is formed of a series of sections 59 connected by flat hinge plates 60 and 61, connected by bolts 62 and '63 andare so arranged that the keel rib may fold upon itself edgewise into a compact space as indicated in Fig. 11. The'bow end of the keel rib is provided'with an elongated brace rod 64 hinged thereto and having an elongated eye 65 in 1ts upper end to engage the screw eye 66 in the is especially adapted for use of armies whereby large numbers of men may cross rivers without much interference, it is at the same time excellently adapted for. use wherever a knock-down or folding boat is desired, such for instance, as camping, fishing and hunting trips and for general use. It is also well adapted for use as a sporting boat for use in surf and river bathing as its lightness makes it easy to handle and right when it upsets by heavy waves.

A special advantage of having the canvas doubled is that if either wall becomes punctured the other wall will prevent leakage into the boat. The plates 11 and 12 are held in place by bolts 67 or in any other suitable manner. Skid members 68 suitably spaced apart are provided on the bottom of the boat. These members are held in place by bolts 69 which extend through the canvas as well as through the plates 12. The canvas shell of the boat is formed by cutting the pattern as indicated in Fig. 4 the edges 70, 71, 72 and 73 being sewed together to form the seam 74 and the edges 75, 76, 77 and 78 being sewed together to form the seam 79 the stitching being done after the parts 3 and 4 are doubled upon one another andthe' plates 11 and 12 secured in place. On the horizontal portion 48 of one of the centrally dis osed U-shaped members 47 are a. pair of iinged hooks 80 and 81 adapted to engage eyes 82' and 83, in the upright arms 49 and 50 thereof and form braces to help hold the side walls of the boat out at their central portion. Openings 87 are provided in the transverse members of the U-ribs 47 to receive the points 86 of the hooks 53.

Having now described my invention, that which I claim to be new and desire to procure by Letters Patent is z- V I 1. In a boat a shell formed of. a plurality of layers of fabric, and a series'of plates j interposed between said layers extending throughout the entire bottom and sides thereof.

2. In aboat a shell, the bottom and sides both the sides and bottom thereof, said plates all being spaced apart, certain of said spaced parts forming hinged portions whereby the shell may be folded.

4. In a boat ashell, the sides and bottom of said shell being formed of a plurality of layers of fabric, a series-of plates interposed between said layers extending throughout both the sides and bottom thereof, said plates all being spaced apart, certain of said spaced parts formin hinged portions wliereby the shell may fie folded, longitudina ly.

5. In a boat a shell, the sides and bottom of said shell being formed of a plurality ,of layers of fabric, a series of plates interposed between said layers extending throughout both the sides and bottomthereof, said plates all being spaced apart, certain of said spaced parts forming hinged portions whereby the shell may be folded, longitudinally, and transversely.

6. Ina boat a shell, the sides and bottom of said shell being formed of a plurality of layers of fabric, a series of plates interposed between said layers extending throughout both the sides and bottom thereof, said plates all being spaced apart, certain of said spaced parts forming hinged portions whereby the shell may be folded, longitudinally, and transversely, an upper foldable frame for said boat. I

7 In a boat a shell, the sides and bottom of said shell being formed of a plurality of layers of fabric, a series of plates interposed between said layers extending throughout both the sides and bottom thereof, said plates all being spaced apart, certain of said spaced parts forming hinged portions whereby the shell may be folded, longitudinally, and

transversely, an upper foldable frame for said boat, lock plates on the upper edges of the shell for engagement with the frame.

8. In a boat a shell, the sides andbottom layers of fabric, aseries of plates interposed between said layers extending throughout 7 the bottom and sides thereof, said plates all being spaced apart, certain of said spaced parts forming hinged portions whereby the shell may be folded, longitudinally, and transversely, an upper foldable frame for -sa'idboat, lock plates on the upper edges of the shell for engagement with the frame,

said frame being 'formedin a plurality of.

independent sectlons.

9. In a boat a shellformed of a plurality of layers of fabric, plates interposed between said' layers, said plates all being spaced apart, certain of said s aced parts forming hinged portions where y the shell may be folded, longitudinally, and transversely, an upper frame for said boat, lock plates on the upper edges of the shell for engagement with the frame, said frame being formed in a plurality of independent sectlons, certain of said sections being formed in hingedly connected sections.

10. In a boat a shell formed of a plurality of layers of fabric, plates interposed between said layers, said plates all being spaced apart, certain of said spaced parts forming hinged portions whereby the shell may be folded, longitudinally, and transversely, an

upper frame for said boat, lock plates on the upper edges of the shell for engagement with the frame, said frame being formed in a plurality of independent sections, certain of said sections being formed in hingedly connected sections, means for supporting all of said sections horizontally.

11. In a boat a shell formed of a plurality of layers of fabric, plates interposed between said layers, said plates all being spaced apart, certain of said spaced parts forming hinged portions whereby the shell may be folded, longitudinally, and transversely, an upper frame for said boat, lock plates on theupper edges of the shell for engagement with the frame, said frame being formed in a plurality of independent sections, certain of said sections being formed in hingedly connected sections, means for supporting all of said sections horizontally, said meansembracing U-shaped ribs.

12. In a boat a shell formed of a plurality of layers of fabric, plates interposed between said layers, said plates all being spaced apart, certain of said spaced parts forming hinged portions whereby the shell may be folded, longitudinally, and transversely, an

' upper frame forsaid boat, lock plates on the 'upper edges ofthe shell for engagement with the frame, said frame being formed in a plurality of independent sections, certain of said sections being formed in hingedly connected sections, means for supporting all of said sections horizontally,

said means embracing U-shaped ribs, said ribs being formed in hingedly connected sections.

13. In a boat a shell formed of a plurality of layers of fabric, plates'interposed between said layers, said plates all being spaced apart, certain of said spaced parts forming hinged portions whereby the shell may be folded, longitudinally, and transversely, an upper frame for said boat, lock plates on the upper edges of the shell for. engagement with the frame said frame being formed in a plurality of independent sections, certain of said sections being formed in hingedly connected sections, means for supporting all of said sections horizontally, said means embracing U-shaped ribs, said -ribs being formed in hingedly connected sections, a

keel rib adapted to be mounted under saidsections, certain of said sections being formed in hingedly connected sections, means for supporting all of said sections horizontally, said means embracing U- shaped ribs, said ribs being formed in hingedly connected sections, a keel rib adapted to be mounted under said U-shaped ribs,

and held in place thereby.

15. In a boat a shell formed of a plu- 'rality of layers of fabric, plates interposed between said layers, said plates all being spaced apart, certain of said spaced parts forming hinged portions whereby the shell may be folded, longitudinally, and transversely, an upper frame for said boat, lock plates on the upper edges-of the shell for engagement with the frame, said frame being formed in a plurality of independent sections, certain of said sections being formed in hingedly connected sections,

means; for supporting all of said sections horizontally, said means embracing u-shaped ribs, said ribs being formed in hingedly connected sections, a keel rib adapted to be mounted under said U-shaped ribs and held in place thereby, said keel rib being formed in a plurality of hingedly connected sections.

rality of layers of fabric, plates interposed between said layers, said plates all being spaced apart, certain of said spaced parts forming hinged portions whereby the shell may be folded, longitudinally, and transversely, an upper frame for said boat, lock plates on the upper edges of the shell for 16. In a boat a shell formed of a pluengagement with the frame, said frame being formed in a plurality of independent sectlons, certain of said sections being formed in hingedly; connected sections, means for-supporting all of said sections horizontally, said means embracing U- shaped' =ribs,-- said ribs being formed in between said layers, said plates all being space apart, certain of said spaced parts forming hinged portions whereby the shell may be folded, longitudinally and transversely, an upper frame for said boat, lock plates on the upper edges of the shell for engagement with the frame, said frame being formed in a plurality of independent sections, certain of said sections being formed in hingedly connected sections, means for supporting all of said sections horizontally, said means embracing .U- shaped ribs, said ribs being formed in hingedly connected sections, a keel rib adapted to be mounted under said U-shaped ribs, said keel rib having a plurality of recesses adapted to be engaged by similar recesses in said U-shaped .ribs.

18. In a boat a shell formed of a plu- 1 rality of layers of fabric, plates; interposed.

between saidlayers, said plates all being spaced apart, certain of said spaced parts forming hinged portions whereby the shell may be folded, longitudinally, and trans versely, an upper frame for said boat, lock plates on the upper edges of the shell for engagement withthe frame, said frame being formed in a plurality of independent sections, certain of said sections being formed in hingedly connected sections, means for supporting all of said sections horizontally, said means embracing U- shaped ribs, said ribs being formed in hingedly connected sections, a keel rib adapted to be mounted under said U-shaped nbs and held in place thereby, said keel rib being formed in a lurality of. hingedly connected sections, w iereby the same may be folded, said keel rib having a'plurality of recesses adapted to be engaged by similar recesses in said U-shaped ribs, whereby the keel and U-ribs are secured together.

19. In a boat a shell formedof a plurality of layers of fabric, plates interposed between said layers, -said plates all being spacedapart, certain of said spaced parts forming hinged portions whereby the shell may be folded, longitudinally, and trans- -versely, an upper frame for said boat, lock plates on the upper edges of the shell for -U-ribs being adapted to hold the sections of the keel rib rigidly together.

20. In a boat a shell formed of a plurality of layers of fabric, plates interposed between said layers,- said plates all being spaced apart, certain of said spaced parts forming hinged portions whereby the shell may be folded, longitudinally, and transversely, anupperframe' for said boat, lock plates on the upper edges of the shell for engagement with the frame, said frame being formed in a plurality of independent sections, certain of said sections being formed in hingedly connected sections, means for supporting all of said sections, horizontally, said means embracing U- shaped ribs, said ribs being formed in hingedly connected sections, a keel rib adapted to be mounted under said U-sha-ped ribs, said keel rib having a plurality of recesses adapted to be engaged by similar recesses in said U-shaped ribs, whereby the lot keel and U-ribs are secured together, said U-ribs being adapted to hold the sections of the keel rib rigidly together, a rod connecting said keel rib and one of said upper frame sections.

21. In a collapsible boat, a plurality of U-shaped ribs each comprised of a plurality of jointed sections, and an upper edge foldable frame to which certain of said ribs are securedfsaid frame being formed of a series of detachably connected sections.

In a collapsible boat, a plurality of U-shaped ribseach comprised of a plurality of jointed sections, an upper edge foldable frame to which certain of said ribs are se- 1-- cured, said frame being formed of a series of detachably connected sections, and a jointed keel held in place by said U-ribs.

23. In a collapsible boat, a boat shell, a plurality of U-shaped ribs each comprised 12 of a plurality of jointed sections, an upper edge foldable frame to which certain of said ribs are secured, said frame being formed of a series of detachably connected sections, a jointed keel rib held in place by 12.5 said U-ribs, and means for securing said frame to the boat shell.

24:. In a collapsible boat a plurality of independent U-shaped detachable ribs, the arms of said ribs being foldable upon one another, a keel rib "forward of a series of foldable hingedly connected sections and interlocked with each U-shaped rib at the recessed end portion of each of said sections.

25. In a collapsible boat a plurality of independent -U-shaped detachable ribs, each provided with a recessed central portion, the arms of said ribs being foldable upon one another, a keel. rib held in place by said U-ribs, said keel rib being formed of aseries of hingedly connected sections and interlocked with each U-shaped rib and the recessed end of each section.

26. In a collapsible boat a plurality of independent U-shaped detachable ribs, each rib having a recessed central portion, the arms of said ribs being foldable u on one another, a keel rib held in place y said U-ribs, said keel rib being formed of a series of foldable hingedly connected sections, all of said ribs being interlocked together at the recessed end portion of each of said sections.

27. In a collapsible boat a plurality of independent U-shaped detachable ribs, the arms of said ribs being foldable upon one another, a keel rib held in place by said U- ribs, said keel rib being formed of a series of foldable hingedly connected sections, all of said ribs being interlocked together at the recessed end portion of each of said sections, a rigid upper edge frame for said boat.

28. In a collapsible boat, a plurality of.

independent U-shaped detachable ribs, the arms of said ribs being foldable upon one another, a keel rib held in place by said U-ribs, said keel rib being formed of a-series of foldable hingedly connected sections,

all of said ribs'bemg interlocked together at the recessed end portion of each of said sections, a rigid foldable upper edge frame for said boat, to which certain of said ribs are secured.

29. In a collapsible boat a plurality of independent U-shaped detachable ribs, the arms of said ribs eing foldable upon one another, a keel rib held in place by said U-ribs, said keel rib being formed of a series of hingedly connected sections, all of said ribs being interlocked, a rigid upper edge frame for said boat, to which certain of said ribs are secured, said frame being formed of a series of detachably connected sections. I 30. In a collapsible boat a plurality of independent U-shaped detachable ribs, the arms of said ribs being foldable u on one another, a keel rib held in place y said U-ribs, said keel rib being formed of a series of'hingedly connected sections, all of said ribs being interlocked, a rigid upper edge frame for said boat, to which certain of said ribs are secured, said frame being formed of a series of detachably connected sections, certain of said sections being formed of a plurality of hingedly connected sections. a

31. In a collapsible boat a plurality of independent U-shaped detachable ribs, the arms of said ribs being foldable upon one another, a keel rib held in place by said U- ribs, said keel rib being formed of a'series of hingedly connected sections, all ofsaid ribs being interlocked, a rigid upper edge frame for said boat, to which certain of said ribs are secured, said frame being formed of a series of detachably connected sections, certain of said sections being formed of a plurality of hingedly connected sections, and means whereby all of said ribs and sections are rigidly connected.

32. In a collapsible boat a plurality of independent U-shaped detachable ribs, the arms of said ribs being foldable upon one another, a keel rib held in place by said U-ribs, said keel rib being formed of a series of hingedly connected sections, all. of said ribs being interlocked, a rigid upper edge frame for said boat, to which certain of said ribs are secured, said frame being formed of a series of detachably connected sections, certain of said sections being formed of a plurality of hingedly connected sections, means whereby all of said ribs and sections are rigidly connected, and means for securing said frame to the boat shell.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

, LOUIS DI CARLO.

Witnesses:

- M. J. Gunner,

GEO. WEDDERBURN. 

